Guide to the Nathan Bangs Collection 1802-1859

Published for Drew University Methodist Library by General Commission on Archives and History of the United Methodist Church P.O. Box 127, Madison, NJ 07940 6/22/2000

Guide to the Nathan Bangs Collection

Nathan Bangs Collection 1802-1859 0.23 cubic feet drew.ms.2375

The purpose of this finding aid is to help you understand the nature of this collection and to assist you in the retrieval of material from this collection. The following pages contain a brief biographical history of the person, or persons, who created or collected these papers, followed by a general description of the collection in the scope and content note. If more detailed information is warranted then series descriptions also appear. The container listing appears last and is the listing of material in each box, or container, of this collection. To request material you need to turn to the container listing section. It is essentially a listing of file folders, or artifact items, in the collection. Each folder, or item, has a call number associated with it. Each folder also lists the inclusive dates of the material in the folder. On the material request form list both the call number and the folder, or item, title. Use a different line for each folder, or item, requested. When your request sheet is complete, or full, bring it to the archivist and the material will be retrieved. Biographical Note Nathan Bangs (1778 -1862), American minister and publisher, was born May 2, 1778 in Stratford, Connecticut. In 1799, he went to Canada. While there he practiced surveying and taught school for three years, even though he was self-educated.

Bangs was converted to in 1799, and two years later began preaching. Ordained in 1804, he traveled and preached through western Ontario and then in Quebec. He returned to the in 1806, and continued as an itinerant preacher.

In 1820, Bangs became the book agent for the Methodist Episcopal Church, remaining in this work for twenty years. While serving in this post, he edited The Christian Advocate, The Methodist Magazine, and The Quarterly Review.

Between 1838 and 1841, Bangs wrote a four-volume history of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It remained the standard history of the denomination for twenty-five years. In 1819, Bangs helped found the Mission Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, serving as its secretary and treasurer. Briefly he was President of , in Middletown, Connecticut. Bangs fell into denominational disfavor when he opted for a compromise on the issue of slavery in an effort to preserve the unity of the church. Bangs concluded his preaching career in City. He died May 3, 1862.

Scope Note The Nathan Bangs Collection is composed of a manuscript journals and attached notebook (1802-1806); a partial manuscript autobiography ( undated); a typed transcription of his journal (1812-1817); and a letter from William Case to Bangs dated March 30, 1818. There are thirty-two letters from Bangs to his daughter, Mary E. Bangs (1810-1859). Arrangement Material has been arranged in the following manner. Arrangement is by record type, then chronological by calendar date. Access Restrictions Copyright still owned by Drew. Permissions to publish must be directed to Drew Preferred Citation When citing material from this collection please use the following format: Direct reference to the item or

Drew University Page 1 Madison, New Jersey Guide to the Nathan Bangs Collection its file folder, Nathan Bangs Collection, Drew University Methodist Collection, Madison, New Jersey. Do not make use of the item's call number as that is not a stable descriptor. Index Terms Subject Name - Corporate Methodist Episcopal Church Subject Names - Personal Bangs, Mary E. Case, William Subject Topics Ministry Subject Geographic Canada United States Genre Correspondence Journals Letter books Occupations Minister Publisher

Drew University Page 2 Madison, New Jersey Guide to the Nathan Bangs Collection

Container List Call Number Folder Title Date(s) 2127-3-1:1 Journal/Note book 1802-1806 2127-3-1:2 Manuscript - Autobiography undated 2127-3-1:3 Case Letter 1818 2127-3-1:4 Mary E. Bangs Letters 1810-1859

Drew University Page 3 Madison, New Jersey